Draft Local Plan - Regulation 18

3. Vision and Strategic Objectives Comment

3.1 Vision

3.1.1. National guidance promotes a Local Plan which reflects a collective vision of its residents, businesses and stakeholders. At the heart of this draft Local Plan, therefore, is the Vision and Key Strategic Objectives for how the District will look in 2043. These golden threads run throughout this Local Plan and, we hope, influence the time beyond which will be planned by a new local authority following local government reorganisation.

Our Draft Vision for Rochford in 2043

3.1.2. Rochford District is uniquely situated; a ribbon of nature-rich landscape between more populated areas, it balances economic potential with green space. Our aim is to allow that potential to breathe, while meeting housing need and retaining the landscape and rurality that makes the district what it is. This Local Plan will unlock economic potential and provide high-quality homes and facilities in healthy, sustainable communities. It will facilitate accessible, responsive services and better transport infrastructure, improving quality of life for all residents. At the same time, it seeks to protect the Green Belt as far as possible within national planning contexts, respecting the unique character of our district.

Our Economy and Infrastructure

3.1.3. Rochford District will be known as a place where new and growing businesses locate because of our welcoming approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. We will make the most of our good access to London and other commercial hubs and our international connectivity via London Southend Airport.

3.1.4. Our vibrant and distinctive town and village centres will continue to meet the shopping, service and leisure needs of our residents, whilst our rural economy will continue to diversify into sustainable new businesses, including tourism.

3.1.5. Our transport network will be fit for purpose, providing safe and healthy walking, cycling and public transport links throughout the district, which will be the number one choice for local journeys wherever possible. Improvements to our road network will have been made by reducing congestion pinch points and providing new road infrastructure as needed, which will have a consequential impact in improving air quality.

3.1.6. Water, wastewater, energy, broadband and mobile networks will be fit for purpose and deliver for resident and business needs.

Our Community

3.1.7. We have extensive social, health and green infrastructure networks across our district, which have been enhanced to support our changing population, delivering health, wellbeing and quality of life benefits for our residents. We have made efficient and effective use of suitable and available land to deliver new homes and jobs, focusing on delivering previously developed land first as a priority, providing a wide range of size and tenure of new homes which meet the needs of all our residents.

Our Environment

3.1.8. We continue to be recognised as a largely rural area, with many accessible and high-quality open spaces and significant stretches of coastline providing attractive and accessible leisure opportunities throughout our district along the rivers Crouch and Roach for our residents and visitors to enjoy. The Essex wide Local Nature Recovery Strategy has allowed landowners, developers and stakeholders to enhance habitats and biodiversity across the district. We have protected and, where possible, enhanced our built, historic and natural environment, providing a network of locally, nationally and internationally important assets that are valued by all.

3.1.9. We have ensured that new homes and commercial premises respect local character and distinctiveness, are built to net carbon zero and high-quality design standards and incorporate measures to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

3.2. Strategic Objectives

SO1 Housing to meet local needs

3.2.1. The Local Plan will facilitate a range of sizes, styles, and tenures of new homes. This will include affordable housing and housing for our aging population, which will be well-designed, sustainably located and net-zero carbon.

SO2 Employment and commercial space to help our businesses grow

3.2.2. Allocate and protect a range of employment land in the right locations, to support the continued growth of our key sectors. Sites will be a range of sizes to accommodate start up, small and growing businesses, plus supporting employment growth around London Southend Airport.

SO3 Supporting Rural Diversification

3.2.3. Support rural businesses to grow, develop and diversify in a way which is sustainable and respectful of the natural environment, but that provides rural jobs and enhances our cultural, tourism and visitor economy.

SO4 Enabling thriving town centres

3.2.4. To support the vibrancy, vitality and distinctiveness of our local town centres through planning to meet local shopping, leisure and community needs in Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford town centres.

SO5 Delivery of Infrastructure

3.2.5. To ensure that homes, commercial and retail growth are accompanied by the right level of infrastructure to meet the needs of the district, at the right time. These will be secured through S106, CIL and delivery of new facilities on sites.

SO6 Sustainable Transport Provision

3.2.6. Support the identification, delivery and protection of sustainable transport corridors, facilities and funding which will enable district residents to undertake most local journeys by walking, cycling or public transport.

SO7 Road Infrastructure

3.2.7. To work with other authorities to deliver meaningful improvements to both our strategic and local road networks, reducing congestion hotspots and ensuring new developments provide suitable and safe new road infrastructure.

SO8 Responding to Climate Change

3.2.8. The development and use of land contributes to both the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change. This includes delivering new homes and buildings which are healthy, affordable to run, climate-resilient and energy-efficient, making best use of energy and natural resources to facilitate an increase in the use of renewable and low carbon energy.

SO9 Community Facilities

3.2.9. To support strong, vibrant, and healthy communities by ensuring the provision, retention, and enhancement of a range of accessible, high-quality facilities to meet the needs of all residents, including those related to health, community, education, retail and leisure.

SO10 Protecting and Enhancing the Historic Environment

3.2.10. To conserve and enhance designated and non-designated heritage assets, including our listed buildings, conservation areas, historic landscapes, and archaeological sites. Promoting the sensitive retrofitting and adaptation of historic buildings where this does not harm their historic significance.

SO11 Protecting and Enhancing our Natural Environment

3.2.11. To protect, conserve and enhance the area’s natural capital and biodiversity, including our important coastal habitats, rural areas and ecological networks. Achieving biodiversity net gain from all developments and supporting the objectives of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

SO12 Sustainable patterns of growth

3.2.12. Prioritising the use of previously developed land and land which is adjacent to or within walking distances to existing communities, infrastructure and facilities. Protecting rural areas for their intrinsic beauty whilst accommodating small scale growth to meet local housing needs and provide economic growth.

SO13 Ensuring High-Quality Design

3.2.13. To ensure that all development is well-designed and functions well, adding to the overall quality of the area and contributing to a strong sense of place, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development.

SO14 Managing Water

3.2.14. To plan for effective flood risk and coastal change management across the district and working with Essex County Council (as the Lead Local Flood Authority), Anglian Water, and the Environment Agency in the delivery of improved drainage infrastructure and sustainable drainage solutions, including effective use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).